Ditching machine



Aug. 19, 1941. I A. A. DICKE DITCHING MACHINE Filed April 2'7, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR- fl/lm 1i flit/ e ATTORNEY Aug. .19, 1941.

A. 'A. DICKE DITCHING MACHINE Filed April 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 mmml lm,

HHmW" H n w INVENTOR ATTORNEY 86 an I Patented Aug. 19, 1941' UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE 1 W553: 3 1...... A ppllca t i i: A pr 2:13:23.; $0232.03!)

g 12 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in ditching machines particularly to machines of this type especially adapted for digging trenches forthe laying of drainage tile, water pipes, telephone lines, power conduits, etc.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved machine of this type which is so constructed that it may be connected with an ordinary farm tractor in such away that its forward end may be supported by the ordinary draw bar construction of standard tractors and whereby the excavating mechanism and the traversing mechanism of the ditching machine may be connected with and be driven by the ordinary power take-on oi the tractor. In this way it is possible to build a machine which is very much cheaper because it does not require its own power plant and the transmission mechanism from the power plant to the ground wheels is greatlysimplifled.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the type referred to in which the power take-oil of a tractor of standard construction is so connected to the ditching machine proper as to not only operate the excavating mechanism whether it be a wheel, an endless chain, or other device, but also to cause the machine ito be advanced along the ground as the trench is being; formed, during which time the ditching machine pushes the tractor at the very low speed required when excavating.

Another object of the invention is to provide a ditching machine which attimes is moved forwardly bypower delivered from the power takeoil ofa standard tractor acting upon the ground wheels of the ditching machine and which at other times is pulled by the tractor as when the machine is transported along the highway or from one operation to another. Thus, the ditching machine at certain times pushes the tractor and at other times is pulled by the tractor.

It is another object of the invention to provide aconstruction adapted to be associated with a standard tractor in such a way that at certain times the tractor serves as a support for a part of the ditching machine.

It isanother object of the invention to provide such a machine so associated with a standard tractor that the tractor1 serves to support a portion of the ditching machine and also Another object is to provide a simple, convenient and effective mechanism speed of advance during ditching.

Other objects will appear from the following description of an illustrative embodiment of the invention taken together with the attached drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevation of a ditching machine illustrating the invention shown connected to a tractor of standard construction, certain parts being broken away to more clearly show the mechanism; i

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the devices shown in Fig. l, the transverse earth conveying mechanism and certain other parts being omitted for clarity of illustration;

Fig. 3 is a detailed view comprising a crosssectionitalren along the line III-III of Fig. 2 on a somewhat enlarged scale, whereas Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV of Fig. 3 enlarged somewhat further.

Referring to the drawings, the letter T designates generally a tractor of any standard constructiomthe numeral ll designating the rear round wheels of such a tractor which are usually driving wheels and the numeral l2 designating the usual front steering wheels. The wheels l2 are controlled for steering byany suitable mechanism controlled by a shaft in steering column It, the steering wheel It being connected to said shaft (not shown). It indicates the usual throttle or governor control lever of such atractor which through rod it controls the throttle or the governor.

'I'he numeral I 1 indicates :the usual power take-oflshaft of any standard tractor connected to universal joint l8, axially slidable splined connection l8a, shaft l9, and universal joint with the shaft 2| forming the input power shaft of a suitable transmission mechanism to be described later.

serves as a steering mechanism therefor, suitable extensions being preferably provided whereby the steering. mechanism of the tractor may be operated from the operator's position upon the ditching machine.

The. letter D represents generally the ditching machine. Its rear portion is'supported upon the ground by means of ground engaging means such as wheels and 3| supported respectively upon shafts 32 and 33. The shaft 32 extends between frame members 34 and 35 whereas the shaft 33 extends between frame members 36 and 31. Each pair of frame members extends forwardly and are connected together as at 38 and "and by means of cross bar 40 having a hitch 40a connecting with the usual draw bar 25 of the tractor by means of pin 28.

Pivotally supported with respect to the frame for varying the I 88, 85, 88, 31, 40, preferably about the axis 50, is a second frame comprising side members 5| and 52. This frame serves to support the excavating member such as the ditching wheel W which may be of usual or other suitable construction and supported in the usual manner as by means of rollers 50 and 55 carried on frame 53 attached to the excavating frame 5|, 52, and one or more pinions 56 carried by shaft 51 mounted in bearings We on the members 5| and 52, which. in turn, carries a sprocket wheel 58 cooperating with sprocket chain 59,the other end of which passes around a sprocket'g80 to be described later. The pinion 56 interengages with teeth 56a on the excavating wheel.

It will be seen therefore that when sprocket I 60 is rotated the excavating wheel W will also be rotated and in the usual manner will loosen the earth in its path and elevate it to a position where it will be dropped upon the transverse earth conveying belt 6| of usual construction driven preferably from shaft 51 by suitable gear ing not shown.

Attached to the side members 5| and 52 are rearwardly extending angle members 5Ia and 5Ib which serve tov support the conveyor mechanism and the upwardly extending parts of which have attached thereto the end of a cable 6Ia which, as shown, passes over a sheave 62a supported on a frame .62 and is wound upon a drum (not shown) I which is actuated by means of a worm wheel 88 with which engages a worm '64 on a shaft 85 supported in bearings 66 carrield by the frame 52. Upon said shaft 65 is sndwni hand wheel 81. It will be noted thatby rotating the hand wheel 81 why applying -'po'werthereto to shaft 65, the elevation of the frame 5|, 52, and the excavating wheel W may be adjusted as required to cut the desired depth of trench.

The numeral I indicates a housing for a clutch actuated by a clutch pedal I I I2 indicates the housing of a usual transmission such as the speed change transmission used in automobiles,

- the gears of which are controlled by a lever I3 in the usual manner. Extending rearwardly from said transmission is a shaft which carries the beveled gears I5 and preferably-also a pinion I6. The bevel gear I5 meshes with another bevel gear 11 connected with the sprocket 60. In the form shown, the sprocket 60 and bevel gear 'Il are mounted for rotation upon a shaft H.which to a hand lever 99 which is pivoted at 99a to a spring 98. Also connected to the shoe 88 is an upwardly extending link 95 the upper end of which is pivoted to an arm 96, 91, preferably mounted co-axially with wheel 92. The free end of lever 91 has connected thereto a link 98 pivoted bracket I00 on the frame, which bracket is formed with a plurality of recesses IM to receive a cross bolt I02 associated with link' I08 pivoted to the releasing handle I04. s I

It will be seen that in the position of the parts shown, the amount of movement imparted by the segment 85 to the shoe 88 will be very small. However, the operator'by pressing on member I04 and thereupon adjusting the lever 99 may cause the shoe 88 to be moved to various positions upon the segment 85 and thus cause the dogs 90, 9| to receive a greater movement so as to cause the ratchet wheel 92 to advance one or more teeth per revolution of shaft 8I and eccentric 82.

By referring to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be seen that the ratchet wheel 92 is connected with a differential mechanism enclosed in housing I05, which differential serves to drive the sprockets I06 and I01 upon which operate sprocket chains I08 and I09 respectively, whichchains serve to turn sprocket wheels H0 and III, respectively, which are connected respectively with ground wheels 30 and 3|.

It will be seen therefore that the ditching machine can be caused to advance along the ground at a variable rate, depending upon the setting of lever 99 and that during this operation the ditching machine will push the tractor forwardly along a path determined by the steering mechanism of the tractor, it being understood that the tractor driving road wheels II are not engaged with its power plant.

" 'atform P it may be convenient to provide means for steering the tractor from'that position. This trol lever I5 of the tractor may be adjusted by also'serves as the pivot pin upon whibhtthe ex-,

cavating wheel frame 5I, 52 is pivoted relative to the main frame of the ditching machine.

By the means so far described, power may be transmitted from the power take-off of the tractor to rotate the excavating wheel W at a speed dependent upon the gear ratio selected by the gear shift lever I3.

The means will now be described whereby the ditching machine is caused to advance slowly during the excavating operation. The pinion 18 previously mentioned is shown as engaging a pinion 80 mounted on shaft 8I, the rearward end of which is provided with an eccentric 82 "encompassed by the ring 83 connected ,with link 84 which, inturn, is pivoted to the upper end of a segment link 85, the lower end of which is pivoted at 86 upon a bracket 81 carried by the side frame member 31. I

slidably-mounted upon the segment 85 is a shoe 88 pivotaily attached to which is an operating dog 90 to which is pivoted a second operating dog 9I, which dogs cooperate with a ratchet wheel 92 being pressedthereon as by tension can be readily accomplished by means of a shaft I 20 slidably carried in bearings I2I and I22 and provided with a steering wheel I23. The forward end of shaft I20 is connected by means of universal joint I24, shaft I2, and universal joint I25 with a clamp I26 engaging the steering wheel I! on the tractor.

Similarly, the throttle or governor speed conmeans of a rod I30 passing through a suitable bracket I3I carried by the frame 62. I

It will be seen that a ditching machine may be constructed in the manner described which is very much cheaper in thatit is not necessary to provide a power plant nor steering mechanism. Furthermore, as the ground wheels and 8| are driven only at the comparatively low speed required during excavating operations, the power transmission to these ground wheels may be made very simple.

It will be noted that the construction shown and described will serve admirably to accomplish the objects stated above. It is to be understood, however, that the construction disclosed above is intended merely as illustrative of the invention tion with a standard farm tractor provided 'with a power take-off, the combination of a frame, ground engaging means secured to said frame,

,fiAs the operator will usually stand upon the power delivered a power take-oi! and ground engaging driving means, the combination one-frame, ground engaging driving means and an excavating mechanism connected with said frame, and means for driving said last mentioned ground engaging means and excavating mechanism, said means being connected with for operation by the power take-on of said tractor, whereby said tractor and ditchingmachinemayatcertaintimesbepropelled by power delivered through said power take-o8 and at other times by the tractor ground eng ing means.

3. In a ditching machine adapted for connection with a standard farm tractor provided with steering mechanism, a power take-oif and at least one ground engaging driving wheel, the

' combination of a frame, at least one ground ena ng driving wheel and an excavating mechanism connected with said frame, and means for driving said last mentioned ground wheel and excavating mechanism, said means being connected with for operation by the power take-oi! of said tractor, whereby said tractor and ditching machine may at certain times be propelled by through said power take-off mechanism while being steered by the steering mechanism or the tractor.

4. In a ditching machine adapted for connection with a standard farm tractor provided with steering mechanism, a power take-off and at least one ground engaging driving wheel, the combination of a frame, at least one ground engaging driving wheel and an excavating mechanism connected with said frame, and means for driving said last mentioned ground wheel and excavating mechanism, said means being connected with for operation by the power take-off of said tractor, whereby said tractor and ditching machine may at certain timesbe propelled by power delivered through said power take-off mechanism while being steered by the steering mechanism of the tractor, and means carried by the ditching machine and connected to the tractor steering mechanism for actuating said steering mechanism from a position on the ditching machine. v

5. In an earth working machine adapted for connection with a standard farm tractor provided with a power take-off, the combination of a frame, ground engaging means .secured to said frame, earth working mechanism, and means for driving said ground engaging means and 7. In. a ditching machine adapted for connection with a standard farm tractor provided with-a power take-oft, the combination of a frame, ground engaging means, excavating mechanism, and means for driving said ground engaging means and excavating mechanism,

with for operation said means being connected by the power take-oi! of said tractor, together with earth working mechanism, said means being I connected with for operation oiI of said tractor.

6. In an earth working machine adapted for connection withwa standard farm tractor provided with a power take-ofl and ground engaging driving means, the combination of a frame, ground engaging driving means, and an earth working mechanism connected with said frame, and means for driving said last mentioned ground engaging-means and earth working mechanism, said means being connected with for operation by the power take-of! of said tractor, whereby said tractor and earth working machine may at certain times be propelledby power delivered through said power take-o8 and at other times by the tractor groundenga ing means.

by the power takeand means carried by means for varying at will the speed ratio between the excavating mechanis and the ditching machine ground engaging driving means.

8. In a ditching machine adapted for connection with a standard farm tractor provided with a power take-01f, the combination of a frame, at least one ground engaging wheel, excavating mechanism, and means for driving said ground wheel and excavating mechanism, said means being connected with for operation by the power take-off of said tracto together with means for va ying at will the speed ratio between the excavating mechanism and the ditching machine driving wheel, said last mentioned means comprising a ratchet wheel, two dogs operating thereon and means for varying the range of movement of said dogs.

9. In a ditching machine adapted for connection with a standard farm tractor provided with steering mechanism, a driving motor, speed control means for the motor, a power take-oil, and ground engaging driving means, the combination of a frame, ground engaging driving means, and an excavating mechanism connected with said frame, and means for driving said last mentioned ground engaging means and excavating mechanism, said means being connected with for operation by the power whereby said tractor and ditching machine may at certain times be propelled by power delivered through said power take-01f mechanism while being steered by'the steering mechanism of the tractor, and means carried by the ditchingmachine and connected to the tractor steering mechanism for actuating said steering mecha nism from a position on the ditching machine, the ditching machine and connected to the speed control means of the tractor.

10. In a. machine of the class described, a tract'or having ground engaging driving means, steering mechanism and a power take-off mechanism, in combination with a ditching machine having a frame hitched to the said tractor, ground engaging driving means associated with said frame, excavating mechanism supported thereby, and means for driving said excavating mechanism and said ditching machine ground engaging means from said power take-oil whereby the ditching machine may be propelled and the tractor pushed forward at certain times by power delivered through said power take-oi! from the tractor to the ditching machine ground engaging means and at other times the ditching machine may be pulled by said tractor.

11. In a machine of the engaging driving means,

steering mechanism and a power take-ofl mechanism, in combination with a ditching machine having a frame hitched to the said tractor, ground engaging driving means associated with said frame, excavating mechanism supported thereby, and means for driving said excavating mechanism and said ditching machine ground engaging means from said power take-on, whereby the ditching machine may be propelled by power delivered through said power take-of! take-oi! of said tractor,

tractor, and means for driving said last mentioned ground engaging driving means and excavating mechanism, said means being connected with for operation by the power take-ofl of said tractor, whereby said tractor and ditching machine may at certain times be propelled by power delivered through said power take-oft.

ALLEN A. mcxm. 

